Apparatus for continuous gauging



June 2, 1953 M. A. CROSBY APPARATUS FOR cou'rmuous GAUGING 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Jan. 25, 1947 INVENTOR Y m R A N m E. M

N mm @m /0 w.

Patented June 2, 1953 UNITED sTArss isn't GFF'ICE 2,640,274 APPARATUS FOR coNTiN'iiotis GAUGiNG Melvin A; Crosby, Dayton, Ohio, assigimr to The oommonweaith Engineering Company of 01110, fiaytoii, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application January 25, 1947; Serial No. 724,319

(01. te m) e-oiaims. 1

This invention relates to machine too1s, and in particuiar to a control 01" indicating mechanism for machine tools for assisting the operator in the production of workpieces of the correct size.

Heretofoie, in connection with machine tools, for an operator to roduee a workpiece of a certain configuration it was necessary for him to measure the said workpiece with gauges or micrometers fioifi time totii'ri and to compare his measurements with a blue-print or other standard. Another method employed for producing workpieces of a certain configuration is to have the machine fitted with contouring controls so that the workpieces are formee automati aliy by the machine in a continuous cycle according to'a template or pattern. In the latter case aispecial machine is required, or auxiliar fittings are" required so that the utility of the machine is definitel y limited, and the change froriione workpiece to another involves considerable setup time and skill.

The particular object of the present invention is to provide ineans whereby a standard machine such "as a lathe can readily beadapted iorpro'duc mg workpieces aceording' to a predetermined eonfiguration; and without thefitting thereto of expensive and extensive auxiliary equipment.

Another object is to provide mechanism inbornbinat-ion with a machine tool such "as a lathe by means of which a continuous indication is given of the workpiece size throughout cutting oper= ation. I

' Still another object-of this invention is to pro= vide r i'iea-ns in association with a machinetooi for pfodiii-ng a record ofthe machining of the work: iece which can be attached thereto for record and inspection purposes.-

It is also an object of the resent invention to provide means for adjusting the :cii'ttii-i'g" tool or the machine and theindicating meenanism so that the operator can be certain at ail titties that the indications given by the indieator are eerreet These and other: ob and advanta es win become more apparent upon reference to the following "description taken in 'conneetiori with attaehed'drawing'szin Which'.

Figure 1 is aside elevation, partIy'b'rokei-i away of a lathe having auxiliary equipment "according to this invention; a

Figure 2 is a transverse section taken on the line 2 2 of Figure 1 and Showing the setting tool and ifididaitirig meehsnis'm g'ett'ig';

Figure 3 is a diagrammatic view showing the electrical connectionsof the in'dieatcir meehze Figure 4 is a fragmentary view showing a modified arrangement for the ihdicatihg methanism; I p

Figure 5 is an electrical diagram or the indi cater cireuit' of Figur s;

Figure 6 is a View similar to Figure 2 out shot mg a'inodifi'ed arrang ment; and

Figure-'7' is a deemed perspective viewof the gauging bracket employed in the invention;

Generalarrangement I According to this invention, there is preview a machine tool having means for supporting-a woskpieee a muting tool for tiWers-ihg and shaping the woflipieee. A need to move eels,- title to the the tiie atoie men; ed diitfiih'g 061 dis is ah 'i ndidafin mehamsm cfitiriueusly measures the workpieces and ithi indicates the size thereof, records the size thereof, or indicates a variation in the wdrkpieee from a predetermined pattehn.

When "indicating ideiliiie indicates the-Work p'itie size, this indication may he :eompared with a; (chart or drawing Barri-ed on the maehine so that the operator has a continuous visual indi cation of the :size of the workpiece being maehiheda By this he is enabled to make aejusm merits in'iihe'tool setting so that the turned work piece is of the correetsize and shape.

when the :indioator makes a record .of the workpiece size, the saidrecord terms -.the visual indication, and the record may be attached to the workpiece aster maehiningtaas' a file record or for inspection purposes.

Another form :oi the invention intilizes :a template :or' pattern and the workpiece is continu ously'compared therewith and difierenees in size of the workpiece and the pattern are either incheated or recorded so that the operator themece ssary adjustments or 'the tool.

The invention also contemplates the provision of a gauge on the machine tool frame cah bemovee into ositionto pei initth'e indicating mechanism and the tool to be set :thereasainstso that when .anew tool is placed in tne maemne,

or when the tool is re g'round, it can he he adjusted into its proper position relative to the indicator.

Stmaetuml arrangement Referring to the drawings, Figure .1 shows a maenine tool seen as a lathe having sped it which mounts a'headstoek i-2 and, atafistoek m, and a tool supporting carriage 516'; The headstock eom hse werkpied holding means such .as the efines-l use that a workpiece 2t tan 'be driven in rotation relative to the tool 22 which is carried in the compound 24 mounted on the crossslide 26 of the carriage 16.

Accordin to this invention, and as best seen in Figure 2 the carriage I6 supports a longitudinally adjustable slide 28 on which is mounted the size indicating mechanism more fully described herein below. Thus this mechanism includes a telescoping column arrangement 30, the upper portion of which may be fixed in various positions by the threaded bolt 3|. Pivotally supported at the upper end of the upper portion of the column 30 is a feeler arm 32 which engages the workpiece 20 as at 34. The feeler arm 32 is connected with the movable portion 36 of an adjustable rheostat 38 that is connected by the wires 48 with a battery 42 and an indicating electrical instrument 42. Thus vertical movement of the upper portion of column 30 with ieeler arm 32 positioned as in Figure 2, results in sliding of the movable portion 36 across rheostat 38 to thereby adjust its resistance. It will be apparent that the indication of the instrument 44 will also be an indication of the position of the arm 32 relative to the supporting column 30 and, therefore, of the diameter of the workpiece 28. Thus, the size of the workpiece which is being turned can at any time be determined by the observation of the instrument 44.

Thefeeler arm 32 engages the workpiece somewhat to the rear of the cutting tool 22 in order that the said feeler arm will always ride on a surface which has been turned by the cutting tool. As shown in Figure 1, the tool point and feeler lie in the same plane (such plane being one taken transversely of the axis of the workpiece). It is believed clear that were the feeler arm to lead the cutter, i. e. ride on a surface which had not been cut, the utility of the feeler arm would be lost.

, A modification of the feeler arm and indicatingmeans is shown in Figure 3. Therein is disclosed an arrangement wherein a feeler arm 32a is connected to drive a gear 46 which in turn runs on a smaller;gear 48 that is connected with the movable arm 36a of a rheostat 38a. The

rheostat 38a is of a divided type and the arm 36ozv tion will cause an indication on the instrument 52 of the amount of the said movement. Thus, if a cylindrical workpiece is being turned, or a flat surface is being machined, the arrangement shown in Figure 3 will be operable continuously to indicate any deviations from a predetermined workpiece size.

Instead of, or in addition to, the indicating device 44, shown in connection with the arrangements of Figures 1 and 2, the machine is preferably provided with a viewing screen or window as at 56, best seen in Figure 4 which consists of an aperture adapted for receiving a pair of transparent or translucent plane members 58 which receive therebetween a transparent or translucent chart 60 on which is inscribed, drawn, or printed the workpiece outline as indicated at 62 in Figure 1.

Within the headstock J2, there is a threaded spindle or screw 64 which carries-a bracket that may be guided in reciprocation as by the guide rod 58. The bracket 66 mounts a light source 10 which preferably comprises a light bulb and a condensing lens system so that a relatively fine pencil of light is thrown on an oscillatable mirror 12 whence the light deflects into the window opening 55 where it makes a trace on the chart to that the operator can compare with the workpiece outline 62.

The oscillatable mirror 12 is preferably supported on the shaft '14 of an electrical instrument movement 15 which is connected in series with the rheostat 38 and battery 42 of the circuit shown in Figure 2. Optionally, there may be provided a switch 78 by which the circuit may be interrupted if desired. This circuit is illustrated in Figure 5 of the drawings.

The spindle or screw 64 is driven by an arrangement shown in Figures 1 and 4 wherein it will be seen that the feed rod 89 of the lathe extends into a compartment at the rear of the lathe where it carries a gear 82. The gear 82 meshes with another gear 84 which is connected to drive the spindle or screw 64. A cover 86 may be provided which can be removed in order to change the gears 82 and 84 thereby to change the ratio of speeds of the feed rod and spindle 64, this being necessary when the workpiece is large so that a reduced sized image can be employed on the viewing screen. Conversely, if the workpiece is quite small, then an enlarged image can be placed in the viewing screen and the spindle 64 be connected to run to drive the bracket 66 at a greater speed than that of the carriage It.

In Figure 4, it will be seen that the feed rod 88 carries a gear 88 which is driven by the worm 90 that, in turn, is driven by a gear 92 from a suitable source of power carried in the machine bed.

It will be apparent that the foregoing arrangement provides for a continuous visual indication of the size of the workpiece being formed in the machine. The operator is enabled to observe at all times whether or not the workpiece is being formed properly. Furthermore, the visual indication is so located on the machine that a supervisor can check the operators work at any time merely by observing the viewing screen.

In. order to insure that the cutting tool and the feeler arm are properly adjusted relative to each other, that the feeler arm does not ride on a surface not yet cut by the cutter, there is preferably mounted on the headstock of the machine a gauge or gauging means comprising a bracket 94 that may be pivoted as at 96 to rotate between the full line position shown in Figure 2 and the dotted line position therein. A stop pin 98 positively stops the bracket in both of its positions of movement and a means such as the spring loaded plunger I00 may be employed for retaining the bracket in its upper position. The bracket includes an angular portion I02 having a pair of surfaces H14 and IE6 at right angles to each other. When the bracket is pivoted into its dotted line position, the tool and feeler arm may be adjusted relatively by resting the feeler arm on the surface I04 while bringing the cutting tool into engagement with the surface I 06. Preferably, these surfaces include inscribed gauge marks H0, H2 on which the tool and the point of the feeler arm should rest. With the tool and feeler-arm in this position, the rheostat 38 in circuit with the battery and instrument movement I6 is adjusted in order to bring the light.

aca embeam into re ster with a pr e m ed gauge pdint'on he viewing screen wh indicated b3 the crossed l es at J'llB in Figure 1,. By using cross ilines t e relative position of the tool and feelel arm in the axial direction of the workpiece can also be adjusted so that at all times there is a predetermined leading pf the feeler arm by the tool. This feature is of merit in the event that it is desired to ,turn tapers so that the chart mounted in the viewing aperture can be modified from the actual contour of the workpiece in order to give a true indication to the operator of the position of the tool relative to the work.

Figurefi illustrates a further modified arrangement of the feeler arm a d indicating ,means wherein the carriage 2W carries a1slide2ll2 that can .be adiusted axially thereon and which supports a column 205. 'Pivota'lly connected to the top of the column 204 at 206 is a feeler arm .2118 that rides on an upper surface ofthe workpiece 2J1! which is being shaped 'by a cutting 13001 1 212. The arm 188 preferably includes a detachable connection. at 214 whereby the arm can .be ,replaced by another of a different configuration or length desired. The arm 12% al includ s .3 bracket portion 218 which adjjusta bly receives a screw 121.6 which is positioned to zbut the actuating plunger ,ZZll of a double pole-double throw limit switch 222 rigidly supported on a .block 2.24 which is pivoted about the pivot 296.

"The ilimit switch 222 "has in circuit therewith the high ,and low limit warning lights 2% and 228 respectively. The block 224 is adapted for being "moved about the pivot M5 by a rod 2'36 which rides on a template 2&2 stationaril-y supported on the machine bed 21%. The template 282 is shaped to correspond with the shape of the workpiece "being tormed and/when the said work piece is being properly shaped there is no relati-ve movement between the limit switch 222 and the arm 2H8 as the carriage 200 traverses the workpiece 210. However, if the workpiece is not being shaped in accordance with the template 232, then the limit switch 222 is actuated to limit either the high limit warning light 226 or the low limit warning light 228. This gives an immediate indication to the operator that the position of the tool 2 I2 is to be adjusted.

It will be understood that the arrangements shown in Figure 6 could be employed in conjunction with the arrangement shown in Figures 1 through 5 if desired, or that the tool 2l2 could be automatically actuated properly to contour the workpiece according to any of several well known automatic arrangements. In any event, the arrangement shown in Figure 6 will give an immediate indication whenever the workpiece is not being formed to size.

It will be apparent from the foregoing that the present invention provides means for continuously gaugin a workpiece which is being formed in a machine tool, and of continuously indicating or recording, or both indicating and recording the exact size of the workpiece for the benefit of the machine operator or supervisor.

It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adopt it to different usages and conditions and, accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modifications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a workpiece size indicating device for a machine tool having a tool supporting carriage, a stationary workpiece supporting means having a rotational axis for -:a workpiece, and a movable workpiece cutting means; support means 'on' said carriage horizontally andverticall-y sliglaple relative thereto, a feeler arm :pivotally mounted on said supportmeans, said cutting means being horizontally and vertically adjustable relative to the carriage, and means for positioning said cuttingmeans andfsaidifeeler arm along said 'axis in a predetermined relation relative to each other, said positioning means comprising a gauging means pivotally mounted on ,said stationary workpiecesupporting means and beingmovable into" engagement with said arm and cutthlg means.

:2. "In a machine toorhavinga stationarjwerkpiece supp tin mea s ih vingaworkpiece ro -atlon'ai axis, a movab ewor p ec cu t means d a l upporting n mes? a size di'cciting m chanism comp si a i ee'ler arm me ns ior mounting said feeler' arm for movement with said cutting means in the cutting direction thereof and for movement in a direction at right angles to the said "cutting direction, and means for set-' ting said feeler arm and "cutting means in a predetermined relationship along said axis compris-' g a auging "means pivotally m unted o aid ti ry pp r ng me n and b in movable into engagement with said cutting means and feeler arm. A

:3; In a machine tool having a toplsupporting" carn ge s t n wor piece u po t ng i ans ns a w k c rotationa axi and a va e o kp ece cu ti g mea s; a izeindii r ing mechanism and means for supporting said mechanism on said carriage, said last mentioned supporting means including 'a'vertical telescoping column horizontally-and verticaliy adjustable-relative to said carriage and movable with saidcutting means, saidsize -indicatlng mechanism'ineluding a dealer arm pivotally mounted 'on said column, a rheostat fixedly secured to said column, a contacting arm rigidly mounted on said feeler arm for sliding movement along said rheostat when said feeler arm is pivoted in a vertical plane, and means for fixing the relative positions of said cutting means and said feeler arm along said axis comprising a gauging means pivotally mounted on said stationary supporting means and movable into engagement with said cutting means and said feeler arm, an electrical indicating device, means for connecting said rheostat and indicating device in an electrical circuit with a source of power, and means for adjusting said indicating device to a predetermined position when said cutting means and feeler arm are in said relative positions.

4. In a machine tool having a tool supporting carriage, a stationary workpiece supporting means having an axis for rotation of a workpiece and a movable workpiece cutting means; a size indicating mechanism and means for supporting said mechanism on said carriage, said last-mentioned supporting means including a column adjustable relative to said carriage and movable with said cutting means, said size indicating mechanism including a feeler arm pivotally mounted on said column, means for positioning said cutting means and said feeler arm in a predetermined relation along said axis comprising a gauging means pivotally mounted on said stationary supporting means and movable into engagement with said cutting means and feeler arm, means connected to said feeler arm for indicating the position of said arm as it is moved in a vertical plane and means for adjusting said indicating means to a predetermined position when said feeler arm and cutting means are in said predetermined relation.

5. In a workpiece size indicating device for a machine tool having a tool supporting carriage, a stationary workpiece supporting means having a rotational axis for a workpiece, and a movable workpiece cutting means: support means on said carriage horizontally and vertically slidable relative thereto, a feeler arm pivotally mounted on said support means, said cutting means being horizontally and vertically adjustable relative to the carriage, and means for positioning said cutting means and said feeler arm along-said axis in a predetermined relation relative to each other, said positioning means comprising a gauging means pivotally mounted on said stationary workpiece supporting means and being movable into engagement with said arm and cutting means, said gauging means comprising angulated surfaces having gauge marks thereon providing resting points for said cutting means and feeler arm when in said predetermined relation.

6. In a machine tool having a tool supporting carriage, a stationary workpiece supporting means having an axis for rotation of a workpiece, and a movable workpiece cutting means; a size indicating mechanism and means for supporting said mechanism on said carriage, said last-mentioned supporting means including a column adjustable relative to said carriage and movable with said cutting means, said size indicating mechanism including a feeler arm pivotally mounted on said column, and means for positioning said cutting means and said feeler arm in a predetermined relation along said axis comprising a gauging means pivo-tally mounted on said stationary supporting means and movable into engagement with said cutting means and feeler arm, means connected to said feeler arm for indicating the position of said arm as it is moved in a vertical plane, and means for adjusting said indicating means to a predetermined position when said feeler arm and cutting means are in said predetermined relation, said gauging means having marks inscribed thereon providing positions of rest for said cutting means and feeler arm during positioning thereof.

MELVIN A. CROSBY.

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